MANILA—Congressmen on Monday suspended deliberations on a bill granting a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN, raising fears it may take longer before the broadcast network can return to free TV and radi
o.
But because the bill was passed on first and second reading on the same day, some congressmen sought to “recall” it for debates and individual amendments to avoid legal questions. The constitution requires approval on “separate days.” “Bakit hindi na lang natin direchong i-hear yung 25 years na franchise ng ABS-CBN? Kasi ito din naman yung gusto ng lahat ng tao. Mapakinggan natin ang lahat ng panig... para once and for all, matuldukan na yung franchise issue na 'to,” said Rep. Eric Yap, chairman of the appropriations committee.
Such issues had been tackled at length during a Senate inquiry last Feb. 24, during which network executives insisted it violated no laws. Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun sought clarification from his colleagues on whether they were deliberating on a new ABS-CBN franchise or were renewing its old one, which expired on May 4.
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